Why Would Anyone Buy This Old Thing?!

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Traxxas Bandit XL5 Review: the Bandit XL5 is the cheapest 1/10 scale vehicle offered by the company. The Bandit has been around for nearly 30 years and hasn't changed a lot. This brushed RTR buggy is clearly a solid platform. Rear wheel drive, includes a NiMH battery and radio system. Looks good!
A popular budget race base over the years, how's it run in stock form? Is it fun? What are its weaknesses? Is the Bandit durable? Does it bash or is the XL5 too cheap? Can you buy it and expect to get something worth the money? Join us as we drive and crash this thing a bunch to find out!
Let's test!
READ MORE:
In our full write-up, we discuss lineage and detail of the current buggy. Check it out:
rc-tnt.com/rc-crawler-reviews...
Manufacturer page: traxxas.com/products/models/e...
--
Chapters:
0:00 New Traxxas Bandit
0:20 About the XL5 Bandit
2:14 Colors & Inclusions
3:44 Bandit Chassis Layout
4:45 Preparing to Run
5:53 Test Drive
9:37 A Breakage!
9:47 A Fix!
12:51 Continue Testing
20:09 Damage Report
20:45 Closing Thoughts
--
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#rcreview, #traxxasbandit, #banditxl5, #rcbuggy, #traxxasbuggy

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4 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 101

@fishnrc294 2 года назад

One thing I’ve learned is RC’s don’t have to be expensive to be fun. Some of my cheaper RC’s are on my most fun list & are cheap to fix. Thanks for mixing it up. Excellent entry level rig just fast enough but not to fast.

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Right on! Yep, and this thing is really growing on me too. I guess you don't get a model that sticks around for 30 years without it being fun and somewhat durable!

@DirectoutdoorsTV 6 месяцев назад

I have a scx 24 and a bandit. Cheapest hobby grades ever but i am super happy. Idk how my bandit has not broken more than it has. I've broken 1 drive cup, and blew out a tire. I abuse the thing so bad and it's great.

@RCTNT 6 месяцев назад

That's awesome 😎

@uhoh6771 Год назад

I got the xl5 about 6 years ago, and i have abused it since. The original titan shattered a magnet after a larger skate park jump so i upgraded the bandit to the vxl system. I currently am using a set of 3d printed paddle wheels & skiis for the snow. It's currently running on a Milwaukee m12 drill battery, and can get up to 45-50 with the stock gearing. The original wing and shell have held up over time. The original suspension has been rebuilt, and still functions well. A wheelie bar was a necessary upgrade for protection & wheelies. An aluminum front bumper helps a lot. A few smaller plastic parts have broken from heavy crashes, but the original chassis and gearbox have held up well.

@RCTNT Год назад

Wow! What a great bunch of info there! Awesome, that's really fun to read and think about, I bet your Bandit is one of a kind now. Thanks heaps for sharing :)

@jaywill530 Год назад

I've had more fun with a Bandit and a Slash than all others I've had over the years combined !.. tough, easy and cheap to fix with plentiful parts, runs fast enough to suit me and damn cool looking !

@RCTNT Год назад

I love how over the months this video has been up, comments like this keep coming in. You're absolutely right too. Great car isn't it

@fmc7209 2 года назад

Got one of those about a month a half ago during their spring sale. Always wanted one when I was a kid. Puts a big smile on my face even if I’m used to bigger and faster brushless vehicles. Awesome video!

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Thank you and I understand totally! It's a really fun little jigger to drive, ain't it :D Enjoy!!

@jgrc73 15 дней назад

2wd bandit slash rustler and stampede will always be the kings. i've had them all. super excited actually I ordered a lightly used stampede VXL on eBay, got a granite blx on the way too, but am actually quite a bit more excited to get my old stampede back or at least its twin. i may wait until cold winter gray day to open the granite!!

@RCTNT 15 дней назад

Nice one. I've managed to convert my Bandit to brushless and to fit a 32p pinion and spur to increase durability. It's quite fun to drive. Enjoy your vehicles, sounds like you're on top of that!!

@michaeldorich4485 2 года назад

Good review. I found that the Bamdit is a good starter r/c car. Parts and hopups are easily found. There are some local clubs that run Bandit Classes to avoid the more expensive chassises.

@madsrcbuggy 2 года назад

Oh, man, I love that you got a track like that, very nice! It's a cool buggy, looks like it's quite comparable to the Tamiya DT-02 and DT-03 sort of quality, maybe even a bit tougher than the Tamiyas. I think for the steering, maybe it might benefit from a bit of extra weight in the front, I know you already said it was heavy but might help reduce the understeer. Those lexan wings can take a lot of abuse before they need to be replaced, ha ha!

@RCTNT 2 года назад

For sure, I think I'll get an strc front piece that weighs a bit more and has room for ballast. I'm liking this little buggy more and more!

@Andy_Yates 2 года назад

Looks like a fun little buggy! It's easy to see why it's so many people's first hobby grade RC. Your track looks like a lot of fun with the turns and elevation changes. I think if your jump were any bigger on this one, you might send cars right off the track 😁

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Hey Andy! It's a fun little track and I'm grateful for it. And yep, if you send a bigger car over the jump, like the Kraton 6S, you'll get a double back flip and land past the track! Better suited to the smaller stuff :)

@jimbar73 2 года назад

i have a 2017 "courtney force" edition xl-5.i run it on a hobbywing 4000kw ,power hd servo,3s lipo.everthing else is stock.yep,shit falls apart on it,but it's an awsome R/C .i've carried out every repair on it that you did in this vid.nice one brother

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Nice! It's a sweet little platform this, yeah!

@ericwood2790 Год назад

I’ve had one for 5 years and beat the snot out of with only minor things like losing screws, I did break a front arm from hitting something. But for the price you can’t beat it for a beginner.

@RCTNT Год назад

Absolutely, they're incredible little things eh. I'm enjoying mine too!

@simonkubacki9823 2 года назад

I bough this exact same car for my backyard track. It's has a lot of ground clearance and travel which make it great for a rough course. I've upgraded it a fair amount and parts (which in Canada are inexpensive and readily available). she's held up with a brushless system for 2 seasons now. I found this buggy to be quite stoat for running laps.

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Fulfils its intended purpose pretty well, doesn't it! Thanks for the feedback with yours, that's great to hear.

@rcdude61221 5 месяцев назад

this is why I run a vintage bandit

@kimmern999 2 года назад

Nice one! I like this track. It's very humble. 🙂

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Thanks, I'll choose to take that as a compliment. It is a nice little buggy!

@WestyCoastHermit 2 года назад

Wish I had a track in my backyard! Have a lovely day!

@RCTNT 2 года назад

I can't deny it's amazing to have this and I'm grateful. Thanks Chris, you too.

@3sgteyota 5 месяцев назад

Lil bastard rips. I remember my old nikko viper seemed similar on nicad. All depends on terrain as to what power you need. Always fun!

@RCTNT 5 месяцев назад

For sure! I use mine about monthly, which is a lot considering how many cars there are here! I cooked the 48p gears on brushless last run, so next I'll install 32p gears instead to better handle the power. Good little buggy, this 😎

@honda116969 10 месяцев назад

Usually most of those 🔋(nicad or li-ion) start to work better after they've been FULLY charged & FULLY discharged at least 5X... The charger will still say it's getting full capacity but it's like the 🔋 gets used to being in the car & what it's supposed to do after a few cycles, really weird... I've been into the hobby for a while but I quit doing it for about 6-8yrs & most of my batteries are still good! I remember reading on the package of my venom it said it could be up to 10 cycles before the 🔋 gets/reaches full capacity... My 🔋 that have come out of storage are getting better & better with with each discharge & recharge cycle...i have 3 4000 mAh 2 4200 mAh & 3 venom 7000 mah about 10yrs old impressed they still work... Fun video as always! Keep it up! Bandit has always been my favorite car because that's what I had as a kid, was a buggy & probably why I have so many batteries is cuz my family couldn't afford batteries when I was a kid. 🤷 That sucked when u can't drive your RC car & that's all u wanted to do!!

@RCTNT 10 месяцев назад

Nice detail. True enough, NiMH batteries need 3 to 5 cycles to be at their best. Slow charges for those first ones, ideally, too. Good detail. The other thing is they're only good for 5 years or so before they'll start losing capacity. I have probably several hundred of them of various sizes at this point and that aligns with my experience too. LiPO on the other hand (and LiIon really) are good for ~500 cycles but seem to retain that capacity for longer than NiMH if not used - providing they're kept around storage voltage. I'm not aware of Lithium-based batteries needing a cycle or three before use for optimal performance, not like NiMH at least. NiCads are a whole different bucket. Annoying memory effect but they can punch just as hard as LiPO, hoo boy! Batteries seem to be a simple enough thing at first glance, but there's a deep amount of knowledge to be unearthed with them, eh! The Bandit is great, yes! I was talking with a manufacturer today who said they'll be releasing a 1/10 buggy later this year. I can't say who it is yet but I'm excited to compare it to the Bandit! Cheers :)

@honda116969 10 месяцев назад

@@RCTNT oh wow that's going to be cool dude! I'll be keeping an eye on the channel to see it! Yeah most people don't give a shit about batteries they just put them on the charger & use them & don't care about anything else I've been a 🔋 fanatic since I was a kid because I was poor & I tried to do everything to make my batteries last the longest 😂 but it's helped me to understand batteries as an adult probably not burn my 🏡 down with those LiPO batteries haha

@RCTNT 10 месяцев назад

I clearly recall trying to make the most of the 7 minutes runtime from the one nicad I had! And if you didn't go hard, that ceramic resistor would get HOT. Good times, good times.

@MM-dz2ze 4 месяца назад

Been racing RC off road since the 80's, Bandits rock baby ! That's why I have 4 of em

@RCTNT 4 месяца назад

They're not bad, eh. I used mine just yesterday. 😁👍

@MM-dz2ze 4 месяца назад

@@RCTNT Don't get me wrong, I prefer my Associated B4's. But the Bandit is a blast

@RCTNT 4 месяца назад

If you have 4 of them, I'm confident you know what the Bandit is - and what it isn't. Glad you're having fun!

@YoShImUrA53 2 года назад

I think I'd rather have the WLtoys equivalent, but I always appreciate when there's a video of yours that shows me something I didn't know of. Cheers!

@RCTNT 2 года назад

We'll get to that soon enough and then we'll see! I'm interested to find what's better value, though the pre-eminence of the Bandit's decades-long popularity is hard to deny!

@YoShImUrA53 2 года назад

@@RCTNT would say a lot of my knowledge of buggies if I admit that I wasn't aware of the Bandit's existence 😬😬😬

@RCTNT 2 года назад

@@YoShImUrA53 lol there's always more to learn and there's a lot of history and cool stuff I'm hoping to dig into in future episodes with various fixtures of the 80s and 90s. We'll get there! Meanwhile there's some serious performance for your dollar available these days that was pure fantasy fuel in those earlier years, and you're all over that! It's all good :)

@hermansims304rcrawlingteam3 2 года назад

hey budd awesome video I started out racing buggys an got a bandit from a friend I love it getting the cheaper one an a few upgrades to aluminum an you got a nice buggy that will last lol

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Nice! I'm going to improve this thing's durability in a few places too. RPM plastics have been my traxxas basher go-to for the last decade so that's probably where I'll start! Cheers :)

@hermansims304rcrawlingteam3 2 года назад

@RC-TNT for sure go with rpm

@jimcurt99 11 месяцев назад

Don't have the cheap one- got the VXL with the Magnum transmission- on 3s it is a BLAST. my very favorite RC- took off the wing, got a big wheelie bar-, added lead weight to the front, it will do 60mph wheelies all day long. Just got the Arrma Vendetta- great car- but the Bandit is still my favorite.

@RCTNT 11 месяцев назад

Love how you wrote that. I'll have to come back to mine soon!

@seavee2000 Год назад

Enjoyable-would like to see it go up against something like a Tamiya DT-03 which of course is a kit rather than RTR, but seems very similar in most respects. Not a fan of chrome finish on plastic wheels, have found that it makes them fragile over time, due to the process I imagine, but front shock tower looks of better quality than the Tamiya part, a notorious failure point for most buggies. Nice little track you have there, but the dust looks murder for anything moving like bearings and motors....

@RCTNT Год назад

Thanks Sean, I've been eyeing off the DT-03, among others. That may happen at some point! You're right about the wheels, they suck. But after cleaning and applying fresh glue they're still kicking! And yes, the dust is murder on bearings in particular! I would dump some heavier dirt onto the track but I'm not sure about my mid-long term plans for the place yet, so have been holding off. Needs it, though, yes!

@mitsuman5555 2 года назад

My go-to for cheap buggy fun are the wltoys 144001 and similar. They aren’t perfect but there’s just so much value for under $100 USD. They’re the gateway drug to get friends addicted to the non-crawling side of the hobby 😄

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Ah nice. I've got one new in a box waiting to be tested. Will get to that soon!

@oldmanradic4243 Год назад

Thanks for the video. I just purchased the same car it's my first RC car that's half decent. Thanks for the little tips. It would be cool if you could do a few upgrades to the bandit what you believe to be the best initial upgrades. I read the bandit brushed version has been clocked at about 45km/h. It would be cool to get it up to the 60 to 70km/h mark and what upgrades would be needed to hit that mark. All the best.

@RCTNT Год назад

Glad I could help! Nice choice on your first hobby grade rc car, the Bandit is plenty fun. Upgrades, at least the first round, can be found here :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--yfV3vBZFbY.html A higher kv motor and larger pinion gear (go up by 3 or 4 teeth even with the same kv motor I used here) would give you the speeds you're after, too.

@oldmanradic4243 Год назад

@@RCTNT Thanks chief I'll check it out

@karlfortuin5794 10 месяцев назад

I have the same bandit I recently upgraded it to vxl velineon system I run it on 3s let me clue ya this thing really rips expecially when I do my speed runs top speed I hit so far is 55+60 🤘

@RCTNT 10 месяцев назад

Nice one. I've done a brushless conversion on mine too, but I went with a slower motor than the Velineon for the type of driving I want to do with it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--yfV3vBZFbY.html Brushless is the right answer eh!

@danweiss4928 2 года назад

25 since my last buggy Tamiya frog!!! Looks like no fuss fun! A couple of them some friends couldn’t enjoy a afternoon..

@RCTNT 2 года назад

You bet. They're good little goers and I think thy Bandit has grown on me a lot since I shot the video!

@jaredharris1970 2 года назад

I think before I run it I would put a tiny bit of thread lock on each screw to keep them from backing out and I would have spare metal drive shafts

@RCTNT 2 года назад

Thread lock doesn't work in plastic, unfortunately. Good news, this motor will not snap those shafts. I've run with them on brushless stampedes on 2s and they were good until 3s power. They're quite good, believe it or not!

@gimiked8685 Год назад

It is not a 2wd 4wd thing to be corrected mid air. My race 2wd buggies correct just fine in air. But they are running 17.5 brushless motors. It is mass in tires compared to mass of truck/car. Bigger tires moving faster will have more ability to correct landings. That and a decent speed controller to send the signal fast enough. It is just that the 4wd cars/trucks tend to also have bigger tires usually. And most people buy brushless cars these days. So more power also. Thus the 4wd have an easier time correcting in air in a lot of cases.

@RCTNT Год назад

4wd does make a considerable difference, moreso with smaller tires with lower mass. Higher rotational speed with instant response would make heaps of difference, I don't disagree with you there, but regardless of power and response speed, 4wd will grant more air authority than an equivalent 2wd system. I think we're agreeing here, honestly! Cheers

@rezamotori5709 Год назад

the legendary Bart Smeding from Cappelle aan den Ijssel has this exact same model.

@matusknives Год назад

The Bandit looks a lot like my Losi Mini JRX2 (which is smaller of course), but the Losi has so far survived a few more charges without any damage. I am looking to get a larger buggy and I don't think I will be getting the Bandit as I will also mostly run it outside (no track).

@RCTNT Год назад

There are some great retro buggies and modern racing buggies to choose from today. There aren't a lot of light bashing choices out there currently but the Bandit isn't bad for what you pay. Nice to have so many options though anyway :)

@matusknives Год назад

@@RCTNT there are indeed many options, but since I only have experience with the Mini JRX2 (ok, also the Arrma Mojave 6s, but that is a very different beast), it is not easy to pick one. But I will get there eventually :)

@guymarotta2596 3 месяца назад

Did it come with a full set of bearings or were there bushings on the axles?

@RCTNT 3 месяца назад

Bushings on mine, being the XL5 model. With all the dust here in summer, it hasn't been such a bad thing!

@tacklemcclean Год назад

What would you recommend for a beginner - this model? Looking for something high value-to-price and drive with my kid, but not something that will break immediately. This model was one of the cheapest here in Sweden.

@RCTNT Год назад

This, or the Rustler or Slash, all good options. Basic Arrma rigs are great too.

@ceefour11 Год назад

Would it be possible to upgrade this model to the vxl motor?

@RCTNT Год назад

Of course! I did a cheaper, snappier equivalent with mine - lower high speed than the VXL, but faster than brushed and has better acceleration and battery life than both the VXL and XL5 systems. Video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--yfV3vBZFbY.html

@ceefour11 Год назад

@@RCTNT thanks. I might do end up doing that

@jeffbryner5355 Год назад

I been asking that question for years! Hell idk why anyone would buy any Traxxas. There entry level rtr's and big boy race kit prices

@RCTNT Год назад

I hear you but for many models I think they've got it about right. The TRX4 range is brilliant and some of their bashers have their place. They do make it easier to get started with the hobby than big boy race kits do if you know nothing, and, that's worth something! Nice to have the choice either way anyway!

@jeffbryner5355 Год назад

@@RCTNT yeah but with associated arrma and losi hitting the rtr scene more and more Traxxas is waaaay over priced for what you get. I have a first gen sc10 that is more durable and has more tuning options then my slash and it was only 299 my slash was in the 400s the sledge is 800 and you cam get a kraton for 600. There like the apple of rc Lol.. user friendly they don't want you to use 3rd party stuff over priced for what you get and the little kids and parents that don't know any better loves them 🤣🤣

@jeffbryner5355 Год назад

@@RCTNT also why do you need range on a trx4? They move at the speed of smell. You can just casually walk next to it lol

@RCTNT Год назад

@@jeffbryner5355 fair enough, I don't disagree. I do think there's a place for them. Range: I meant variety, not distance. As in, the TRX4 range of models.

@jakelang4387 2 года назад

It's the only one I'm run..not saying others not good I just prefer the bandit,,and every part is replaceable,,cheap and good

@RCTNT 2 года назад

I went from doubtful to converted with this one. It's no wonder they have a broad and long time following!

@jakelang4387 2 года назад

@@RCTNT they love burning up tires sometimes I run my rustlers

@corgicakes5629 2 года назад

I really don't like the new wheels on the bandit the retro shiny ones are much cooler

@RCTNT 2 года назад

The new ones chip easily, too. A shame!

@angelagreenhouse749 2 года назад

Mine goes fast

@RCTNT 2 года назад

I'm glad to hear it!

@stuartj9842 2 года назад

Brushed it's light and all bandits are the same.. vxl is loads better... Turn the arms too turnbuckles arms

@RCTNT 2 года назад

I've had vxl stuff from traxxas before and have to agree, spending a bit (lot) more up front is often worth it with traxxas. That said, for the entry level price you get a disproportionate amount of fun for your money!

@stuartj9842 2 года назад

@@RCTNT had my vxl 7 years gone through two sets wheels and 4 rears of it the wing just tape it

@RCTNT 2 года назад

@@stuartj9842 awesome info, thanks! I'll have an upgrades and fixes series on this thing over the coming months and we'll look at reinforcing the wing among other things. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

@jarredtremain4644 9 месяцев назад

What do you want when not even brushless versions. Things always break bashing them hard and if parts will break again you upgrade it. My 2wd traxxas vxl rustler on 3s is crazy fast and launch but alot of parts are updated after launching huge in skatepark. Your version is a kids toy.

@RCTNT 9 месяцев назад

Lol that's a bit of an exaggeration, but there's another factor here I didn't realise when I did the video: while the XL5 Bandit is USD$160 in USA (before they discontinued if for the newer 2s variant), in Australia the exact same motel is about USD$290. Certainly isn't priced like a kids toy.

@RYNOCIRATOR_V5 9 месяцев назад

You say it's not a racing buggy, and you would think so, but the reason Traxxas is still making these after so long is just because they're _that_ good. I saw a video recently of a guy into RC racing and he bought a Bandit because he thought it would be funny ("isn't it shit? lol" kind of thing). Around his local racing track he got a 24.7 second lap with his totally tricked out Team Associated racing buggy, with the Bandit? On the same day it managed 25.2 seconds, and all he did to was change the tyres LOL. Channel is "MX Acres" if you want to check it out. Great video by the way!

@RCTNT 9 месяцев назад

That's a great way to do it - break from conventional wisdom and try it yourself. I've been enjoying mine too. Have converted it to brushless and it's gotten me onto a buggy period, where I've been building a few different ones recently. The Bandit shines in comparison to the older styles I've been playing with. It's a good basic platform.

@RYNOCIRATOR_V5 9 месяцев назад

@@RCTNT seems like it, thinking I might get one myself at some point :)

@RCTNT 9 месяцев назад

They're quite good. And they've just enjoyed an update with the new 2s system and body they've released. That'd be the one to get, I reckon.

@RYNOCIRATOR_V5 9 месяцев назад

@@RCTNT I'll almost certianly be getting a VXL if i do get one at all; I would want the TSM and brushless system out of the box. Wish they weren't so overpriced in the UK, the VXL RRP is £351, and the VXL "Magnum Pro" RRP is £410 - frankly comical pricing.

@RCTNT 9 месяцев назад

@RYNOCIRATOR_V5 it's comically expensive in Australia too, yeah. The Bandit VXL is $699 here - that's £368 currently. Out of stock nearly everywhere, too. Lol. The USA gets a good deal and fair enough, it's a USA company I guess. Just makes other manufacturer's fare more enticing to us, I guess!

@TheeHacksmithttoll2711 Год назад

The cheapest traxxas is the traxxas Teton and 2 others

@RCTNT Год назад

I don't see the Teton here, so that may be the case when it's in stock, but I just went here and checked and the Bandit is one of the two cheapest models available: m.traxxas.com/products/showroom?f%5B0%5D=in_stock%3AShow%20In-Stock%20Models Maybe I should have said "one of the cheapest" to be safe :) Thanks for the detail!